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Linebacker/special teams ace Grant Stuard flew under the radar as a free-agent addition this offseason for the Los Angeles Rams. However, The Athletic's Nate Atkins named the linebacker as the most underrated signing of the Rams' offseason because of how much his value shows up in areas box scores don't always capture.
The praise centers on what Stuard brings to a special teams unit that badly needs it. Los Angeles' coverage units were a season-long liability in 2025, contributing to a disastrous muffed punt in the NFC Championship Game loss in Seattle and prompting Sean McVay to fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn in-season.
Stuard, by contrast, has built his entire NFL career around that phase of the game. He played 79% of the Detroit Lions' special teams snaps last season and added three kickoff returns, and was among the top 12 players in the league in total special teams snaps played, finishing with 19 tackles across 17 games. Atkins' assessment matched that reputation, calling him a great special teams coverage player whose energy tends to rub off on those around him.
Stuard's fit goes beyond reputation, too. New Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone previously coached Stuard in Indianapolis, giving Los Angeles a coordinator who already knows exactly how to deploy him.
There's also a path for Stuard to factor into the linebacker rotation on defense, not just special teams. With Nate Landman and Omar Speights projected as the top two linebackers, Stuard will compete with Shaun Dolac and undrafted rookie Chris Hill-Green for reps behind them — a group the Rams may only carry four deep. Stuard has rarely seen extended defensive snaps in his career, logging real playing time on that side of the ball in just one of his five NFL seasons (where he saw 229 defensive snaps for the Colts), but the opportunity is there if injuries or performance open the door.
Even if his defensive role stays limited, Stuard's addition alone should be a significant upgrade for a special teams group that cost the Rams dearly last season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Insider names Grant Stuard Rams' most underrated addition
Continue reading...
The praise centers on what Stuard brings to a special teams unit that badly needs it. Los Angeles' coverage units were a season-long liability in 2025, contributing to a disastrous muffed punt in the NFC Championship Game loss in Seattle and prompting Sean McVay to fire special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn in-season.
Stuard, by contrast, has built his entire NFL career around that phase of the game. He played 79% of the Detroit Lions' special teams snaps last season and added three kickoff returns, and was among the top 12 players in the league in total special teams snaps played, finishing with 19 tackles across 17 games. Atkins' assessment matched that reputation, calling him a great special teams coverage player whose energy tends to rub off on those around him.
Stuard's fit goes beyond reputation, too. New Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone previously coached Stuard in Indianapolis, giving Los Angeles a coordinator who already knows exactly how to deploy him.
There's also a path for Stuard to factor into the linebacker rotation on defense, not just special teams. With Nate Landman and Omar Speights projected as the top two linebackers, Stuard will compete with Shaun Dolac and undrafted rookie Chris Hill-Green for reps behind them — a group the Rams may only carry four deep. Stuard has rarely seen extended defensive snaps in his career, logging real playing time on that side of the ball in just one of his five NFL seasons (where he saw 229 defensive snaps for the Colts), but the opportunity is there if injuries or performance open the door.
Even if his defensive role stays limited, Stuard's addition alone should be a significant upgrade for a special teams group that cost the Rams dearly last season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Insider names Grant Stuard Rams' most underrated addition
Continue reading...
